Digestion & Absorption

Question 1

What is the definition of digestion?

Answer 1

The breakdown of large, complex molecules of many nutrients into simple, soluble forms so absorption by the body can take place.

Question 2

What are the two types of digestion that occur?

Answer 2

mechanical & chemical (enzymatic)

Question 3

What are the 3 major food types that require digestion?

Answer 3

fats, carbs, proteins

Question 4

What are the important structures/elements of the mouth that are used in digestion?

Answer 4

teeth, tongue, saliva

Question 5

What are the functions of the mouth in regard to digestion?

Answer 5

• bring food into the body
• initiate mastication (chewing)
• mix food with saliva

Question 6

What are the main functions of the esophagus?

Answer 6

• secrete lubrication to aid swallowing
• cardiac sphincter allows food to enter stomach, prevents reflux

Question 7

The stomach participates in what kind of digestion?

Answer 7

Chemical digestion

Question 8

What is the function of the pyloric sphincter in the stomach?

Answer 8

controls the rate of chyme into the small intestine

Question 9

What are the 3 major structures of the small intestine?

Answer 9

duodenum, jejunum, ileum

Question 10

Enzymes that break down substances like proteins, carbs, and fats, end with the suffix ____.

Answer 10

-ase

Question 11

The primary site where absorption happens, and where digestion is completed, is which part of the body?

Answer 11

small intestine

Question 12

The liver helps further digest which 3 things?

Answer 12

amino acids, sugar/glycogen, fats

Question 13

Which 7 structures make up the large intestine?

Answer 13

1. ileocecal valve
2. cecum
3. ascending colon
4. transverse colon
5. descending colon
6. rectum
7. anus

Question 14

What is absorbed in the colon?

Answer 14

water & electrolytes

Question 15

What is the purpose of the rectum?

Answer 15

storage of feces

Question 16

What is a “positive energy balance” and which animals should maintain this?

Answer 16

• when caloric intake is GREATER than energy expenditure
• growing or pregnant animals

Question 17

What is a “negative energy balance” and what can happen due to maintaining this?

Answer 17

• when caloric intake is LOWER than energy expenditure
• weight loss occurs, leading to decrease in fat

Question 18

What determines an animal’s daily energy requirements?

Answer 18

The amount of energy that the animal expends each day (working dog vs. sedentary dog)

Question 19

1 kcal = ____ cal

Answer 19

1 kcal = 1000 cal

Question 20

What is the definition of “energy” in regard to nutrition?

Answer 20

energy = the amount of usable heat/chemical potential that a food provides to the body

Question 21

What does “BER” stand for? What does it mean?

Answer 21

• BER = basal energy requirement
• the energy requirement for a normal animal in a thermo neutral environment

Question 22

What does “RER” stand for? What does it mean?

Answer 22

• RER = resting energy rate
• energy requirement for a normal animal at rest in a thermo neutral environment, awake but not fasted

Question 23

What factors can affect an animal’s RER?

Answer 23

• sex / reproductive status
• thyroid / autonomic nervous system functions
• body composition
• body surface area
• nutritional status

Question 24

What does “MER” stand for, and what does it mean?

Answer 24

• MER = maintenance energy requirement
• energy requirement for a moderately active adult animal in a thermo neutral environment, OR amount of energy required to maintain an animal’s current weight / body composition

Question 25

What does "DER" stand for, and what does it mean?

Answer 25

- DER = daily energy requirement - energy required for average daily activity of any animal, dependent on lifestyle & activity

Question 26

Voluntary muscular activity, aka exercise, is considered the most variable area of energy expenditure. Why?

Answer 26

- different animals have different levels of activity/exercise - amount of energy used increases as weight increases

Question 27

Neutered animals have significantly _____ estimated RER than intact animals.

Answer 27

significantly LOWER estimated RER

Question 28

What is "dietary thermogenesis" and what does it refer to?

Answer 28

- body heat production - energy associated with ingestion, digestion, absorption, and metabolism of food

Question 29

What are 4 examples of external cues that may cause an animal to voluntarily intake food?

Answer 29

- diet palatability - food composition - food texture - timing / environment during feeding

Question 30

What are the general taste / texture preferences of cats & dogs?

Answer 30

- cats → no sugar appetite, warm over cold - dogs → canned / semi-moist over dry, beef flavor, cooked over raw, warm over cold, sugar appetite

Question 31

When it comes to food preferences for animals, it is known that increased fat = increase _______.

Answer 31

increased fat = increased PALATABILITY

Question 32

What happens if a cat cannot smell their food?

Answer 32

They may not eat it (smell is the primary determinant for food acceptance in cats)

Question 33

_____ is an essential amino acid that cats cannot synthesize on their own, and must obtain from their diet. It plays a crucial role in various bodily functions in cats.

Answer 33

Taurine

Question 34

Why is it better to feed a cat a high-protein meat diet vs. a high-protein vegan diet?

Answer 34

Meat / animal tissues have all the appropriate nutrients a cat needs (ex: Taurine) Vegan diet means you have to supplement purified forms of those nutrients in addition to their veggies

Question 35

Cats have a unique _____ & _____ metabolism.

Answer 35

ENERGY & GLUCOSE metabolism